CITY RECEIVES GRANT FUNDING TO IMPROVE FIRST RESPONDER SAFETY
City Received $675,000 to Mark Nearly 2,000 Buildings that Could Pose Additional Hazards During a Fire

CHICAGO- Mayor Rahm Emanuel and 50th Ward Alderman Debra Silverstein introduced an
ordinance that will allow the Chicago Fire Department to mark buildings that have compromised structural stability to ensure the safety of fire responders. The Chicago Fire Department received $675,000 from the Assistance to Firefighters-Fire Prevention and Safety Grant to implement the new program.

“While the first priority of the Chicago Fire Department is saving lives, we must do all we can to protect firefighters, paramedics and those we are helping from harm,” said Fire Commissioner Jose A. Santiago. “Making sure we properly identify and mark dangerous buildings supports our goal of having all of our members go home safely at the end of each shift.”

If approved by the City Council, the Fire Department, in conjunction with the Department of Buildings, will identify structural conditions on buildings that could create collapse danger for responding crews in the event of a fire, including weak truss or other roofing systems, missing mortar, rotted or damaged timbers and other structural issues. Private contractors, paid for by the grant, will supply and install the markers, which are highly-visible reflective emblems, 24 inches square, and feature a large red X.

“Chicago’s first responders so often put their own well-being on the line for the lives of others,” said Department of Buildings Commissioner Michael Merchant. “Identifying and clearly marking buildings that could pose an additional hazard to our emergency responders is an important piece in keeping them safe.”